The United States Supreme Court recently rejected Rana’s request to stop his extradition to India. This decision clears the way for him to be brought back to face legal proceedings in Indian courts.
NEW DELHI: Union Home Minister Amit Shah has called the extradition of Tahawwur Rana, an accused in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, a major diplomatic success of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government.
Rana is facing charges of criminal conspiracy related to the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, which led to the death of over 174 people.
The United States Supreme Court recently rejected Rana’s request to stop his extradition to India. This decision clears the way for him to be brought back to face legal proceedings in Indian courts.
Amit Shah praised the Modi government for achieving what earlier governments could not.
Without naming the Congress party, he criticised the earlier governments by saying:
“The return of Tahawwur Rana is a big success of the Modi government’s diplomacy, because the governments under whose rule the bomb blasts took place could not bring him back.”
He further stated that it is the duty of the Indian government to bring all such criminals to justice:
“It is the responsibility of the Indian government to bring back all those who have misbehaved with the land and people of India under the law of the country.”
On April 7, 2025, the Supreme Court of the United States rejected Tahawwur Rana’s plea for a stay on his extradition. He had filed an emergency application with Chief Justice John Roberts on March 20, 2025.
The court’s short order said:
“The application for stay addressed to The Chief Justice and referred to the Court is denied.”
This means Rana has no more legal protection left in the US to stop his extradition, and Indian authorities can now proceed to bring him back.
According to the Mumbai Crime Branch, a case of criminal conspiracy was registered against Rana by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in Delhi after the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. These attacks were planned and carried out by Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), a banned terrorist group. Over 160 innocent people were killed in those horrifying attacks that shook the entire world.
Rana, a Pakistani-Canadian national, was earlier convicted in the United States for helping LeT operatives and for providing material support to the terrorist group responsible for the 26/11 attacks.
Though the extradition is linked to the NIA’s case in Delhi, the Mumbai Crime Branch may also seek his custody if allowed under the extradition terms.
The NIA had filed a chargesheet in 2011 against nine individuals, including Rana, for their roles in planning and executing the Mumbai terror attacks.
Previously, Rana was prosecuted in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and charged with:
- Count 11: Conspiracy to provide material support to terrorism in Denmark
- Count 12: Providing material support to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT)
Also Read: 26/11 Accused Tahawwur Rana Likely To be Extradited to India: US Supreme Court to Decide
India has charged Rana with conspiracy to commit multiple offenses, including:
- Waging war against the country
- Murder
- Forgery
- Committing terrorist acts
With the US courts rejecting all of Rana’s appeals, his extradition to India is now imminent. The recall of trial records by the Patiala House Court signals that Indian authorities are preparing to prosecute him in Delhi.
Officials said:
“Only after examining the grounds of extradition will it be clear whether custody can be sought by the Mumbai Crime Branch in this matter.”
As of now, no official communication has been received by Mumbai Police regarding Rana’s transfer for questioning or trial:
“Sources added that the Mumbai Police has not received any formal communication so far regarding Rana’s transfer to the city for questioning or judicial proceedings.”
